Atlanta United Falls 3-2 to Pumas Despite First-Half Lead in Leagues Cup

Atlanta United announced that it has signed defender Nyk Sessock to a Short-Term Agreement ahead of Saturday’s match against Pumas.

Despite the roster boost, Atlanta United fell 3-2 to Pumas in its second game of Phase One in Leagues Cup 2025 on Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium.

The match started evenly, but momentum swung in the 23rd minute when Pumas took the lead from the penalty spot. Brooks Lennon was whistled for a foul on Pedro Vite inside the box, setting up Alvaro Angulo, who converted to make it 1-0.

Atlanta responded with energy. In the 32nd minute, Saba Lobjanidze nearly pulled the Five Stripes level, intercepting a pass in the attacking third and ripping a shot that forced a diving save from veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Just three minutes later, Atlanta equalized through a bit of good fortune. Ronald Hernández sparked the play, finding Miguel Almirón on the wing. Almirón connected with Bartosz Slisz, who lofted a ball behind the Pumas defense to a charging Lobjanidze. His first-time shot deflected off Navas and into the net, going down as an own goal to tie the match at 1-1.

Atlanta kept the pressure on, and it paid off again before halftime. In the 43rd minute, Lobjanidze once again pounced on a Pumas turnover, quickly igniting a counter. After combining with Alexey Miranchuk and Slisz, the winger drove into the box and delivered a pinpoint cross to the far post, where Latte Lath calmly finished with his left foot to give Atlanta a 2-1 lead heading into the break.

But Pumas clawed back in the second half. Adalberto Carrasquilla equalized in the 62nd minute, smashing a shot into the top-right corner. Then, heartbreak struck late. After Hernández was called for a foul in the box, Guzan initially saved Carrasquilla’s penalty, but the rebound fell right back to the Pumas midfielder, who tapped in the winner in the 89th minute to make it 3-2.

In stoppage time, Navas was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Jamal Thiaré just outside the box. With the final kick of the game, Slisz had a chance to rescue a point, but his free kick sailed off target.

Atlanta United (0-2-0, 0 points) now turns its attention to a must-win showdown against Atlas FC on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium — the club’s third and final group stage match of Phase One.